Stackable iron baskets

Abstract

A modular stack includes a plurality of baskets including at least a first basket and a second basket. The second basket is configured to be stacked on the first basket such that the first and second baskets occupy a same footprint. The first and second baskets each include a base frame that is substantially rectangular. The first and second baskets also each include a bottom extending across a lower portion of the base frame. The first and second baskets also each include one or more cross-members extending over the bottom from a first side of the base frame to a second side of the base frame. The first and second baskets also each include a side plate extending upward from the first side. The side plate is connected to the base frame and the one or more cross-members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular stack, comprising:
 a plurality of baskets including at least a first basket and a second basket, wherein the second basket is configured to be stacked on the first basket such that the first and second baskets occupy a same footprint, and wherein the first and second baskets each comprise:
 a base frame that is substantially rectangular; 
 a bottom extending across a lower portion of the base frame; 
 one or more cross-members extending over the bottom from a first side of the base frame to a second side of the base frame; 
 a side plate extending upward from the first side, wherein the side plate is connected to the base frame and the one or more cross-members, 
 a post extending vertically from a corner of the base frame; and 
 a guide at an upper end of the post, wherein the guide of the first basket is configured to be inserted into a lower end of the post of the second basket. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular stack of  claim 1 , wherein the first basket and the second basket are configured to be lifted independently of one another. 
     
     
         3 . The modular stack of  claim 1 , wherein the guide comprises a first plate and a second plate that are substantially perpendicular to one another, wherein the first plate defines a first slot for receiving a portion of the second plate, and wherein the second plate defines a second slot for receiving a portion of the first plate. 
     
     
         4 . The modular stack of  claim 3 , wherein upper ends of the first and second plates of the guide of the first basket are tapered to facilitate insertion into the lower end of the post of the second basket, and wherein the guide of the first basket comprises a landing stop that is configured to engage the upper end of the post of the first basket to prevent the guide of the first basket from falling through the post of the first basket. 
     
     
         5 . The modular stack of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of one of the first and second baskets is solid, and wherein the bottom of the other one of the first and second openings is non-solid and defines one or more openings therein to reduce a weight thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The modular stack of  claim 1 , wherein the side plate extends less than a length of the first side. 
     
     
         7 . The modular stack of  claim 1 , wherein the side plate extends upward less than a height of the basket of which it is a part. 
     
     
         8 . The modular stack of  claim 1 , wherein the side plate defines at least two openings, wherein the at least two openings are positioned above the bottom, wherein the one or more cross-members extend from the at least two openings, and wherein the one or more cross-members are hollow to receive a connection for a lifting mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The modular stack of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first and second baskets comprises:
 a center support extending over the bottom from a first end of the base frame to a second end of the base frame, and wherein the one or more cross-members comprise:
 a plurality first cross-members that extend over the center support, wherein the first cross-members are perpendicular to the center support; and 
 a plurality of second cross-members that extend over the center support, wherein the second cross-members are perpendicular to the center support, wherein the second cross-members are positioned between two of the first cross-members, and wherein the second cross-members are thinner than the first cross-members. 
   
     
     
         10 . The modular stack of  claim 9 , wherein the side plate is connected to the base frame, the first cross-members, and the second cross-members. 
     
     
         11 . A modular stack, comprising:
 a plurality of baskets including at least a first basket and a second basket, wherein the second basket is configured to be stacked on the first basket such that the first and second baskets occupy a same footprint, and wherein the first and second baskets each comprise:
 a base frame that is substantially rectangular; 
 a bottom extending across a lower portion of the base frame; 
 one or more cross-members extending over the bottom from a first side of the base frame to a second side of the base frame; 
 a side plate extending upward from the first side, wherein the side plate is connected to the base frame and the one or more cross-members, 
 a post extending vertically from a corner of the base frame; and 
 a guide at an upper end of the post, wherein the guide of the first basket is configured to be inserted into a lower end of the post of the second basket, wherein the guide comprises a first plate and a second plate, wherein the first plate defines a first slot for receiving a portion of the second plate, wherein the second plate defines a second slot for receiving a portion of the first plate, wherein upper ends of the first and second plates of the guide of the first basket are tapered to facilitate insertion into the lower end of the post of the second basket, and wherein the guide of the first basket comprises a landing stop that is configured to engage the upper end of the post of the first basket to prevent the guide of the first basket from falling through the post of the first basket. 
   
     
     
         12 . The modular stack of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom of one of the first and second baskets is solid, and wherein the bottom of the other one of the first and second openings is non-solid and defines one or more openings therein to reduce a weight thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The modular stack of  claim 11 , wherein the side plate extends less than a length of the first side, wherein the side plate extends upward less than a height of the basket of which it is a part, wherein the side plate defines at least two openings, wherein the at least two openings are positioned above the bottom, wherein the one or more cross-members extend from the at least two openings, and wherein the one or more cross-members are hollow to receive a connection for a lifting mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The modular stack of  claim 11 , wherein one of the first and second baskets comprises:
 a center support extending over the bottom from a first end of the base frame to a second end of the base frame, and wherein the one or more cross-members comprise:
 a plurality first cross-members that extend over the center support, wherein the first cross-members are perpendicular to the center support; and 
 a plurality of second cross-members that extend over the center support, wherein the second cross-members are perpendicular to the center support, wherein the second cross-members are between two of the first cross-members, and wherein the second cross-members are thinner than the first cross-members. 
   
     
     
         15 . The modular stack of  claim 14 , wherein the side plate is connected to the base frame, the first cross-members, and the second cross-members. 
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 lifting a stack from a transport vehicle using a lifting mechanism, wherein the stack comprises a plurality of baskets including at least a first basket and a second basket, wherein the second basket is positioned on the first basket such that the first and second baskets occupy a same footprint, and wherein the first and second baskets each comprise:
 a base frame that is substantially rectangular; 
 a post extending vertically from a corner of the base frame; and 
 a guide at an upper end of the post, wherein the guide of the first basket is configured to be inserted into a lower end of the post of the second basket to form the stack; 
   positioning the stack on the ground at a first location using the lifting mechanism;   lifting the second basket from the first basket using the lifting mechanism while the first basket remains on the ground; and   positioning the second basket on the ground at a second location using the lifting mechanism, wherein the second location is different than the first location.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein lifting the second basket comprises removing the guide of the first basket from the lower end of the post of the second basket. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second baskets each further comprise:
 first and second cross-members extending from a first side of the base frame to a second side of the base frame; and   a side plate extending upward from the first side, wherein the side plate is connected to the base frame and the first and second cross-members, wherein the side plate defines first and second openings, wherein the first and second cross-members and aligned with the first and second openings, and wherein the first and second cross-members are hollow, and   wherein lifting the first basket further comprises inserting a portion of the lifting mechanism into the first and second openings and the first and second cross-members of the first basket.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second openings are positioned above a bottom of the first basket. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein lifting the second basket further comprises inserting the portion of the lifting mechanism into the first and second openings and the first and second cross-members of the second basket.